Sports News – Newsletter for January 17, 2011

Monday, January 17, 2011

Selectors pick three spinners for India’s World Cup squad

CHENNAI – India’s cricket selectors Monday ignored middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma and fast bowler Sreesanth, but included three spinners in the 15-member squad for the World Cup starting Feb 19 in the sub-continent.

The exclusion of Sharma came as a major surprise as selectors picked both off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, ahead of … Read more »»».

Australian Open: Somdev goes down fighting in opening round

MELBOURNE – India’s Somdev Devvarman went down fighting to Spain’s Tommy Robredo 6-7(4), 3-6, 4-6 in the first round of the Australian Open men’s singles here Monday.

Somdev, ranked 108, was making his debut at the tournament after been given a wildcard.
With his loss, India’s challenge in men’s singles is over.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at : Australian Open: Somdev goes down fighting in opening round.

Spinners will play a major role in World Cup: Srikkanth

CHENNAI – Spinners will play a major role in the World Cup to be held in the sub-continent from Feb 19, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, chairman of the cricket board’s selection committee, said Monday, justifying the inclusion of three tweakers in the Indian squad for the quadrennial event.

“Spinners will play a major role in the … Read more »».

PCB’s ‘no-media interaction’ policy paying dividends for the board

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Cricket Board’s new policy that gags its officials, national players and team management from giving out reckless statements in the media or leaking out inside information appears to have started to pay dividends for the board.

Last month, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had signed a new order, which specifically made it clear … Original source on Gaea Times at : PCB’s ‘no-media interaction’ policy paying dividends for the board.

Pakistan cricket to benefit from players’ exclusion from IPL: Waqar Younis

WELLINGTON – Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis feels the fact that his players will be missing from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament is good for Pakistan cricket.

“It’s not good for cricketers, I guess, because they are losing out on the financial side, but I always think that, in a way, it … Original article on : Pakistan cricket to benefit from players’ exclusion from IPL: Waqar Younis.

Watson batted with the vigour needed to lift tense comrades: Roebuck

SYDNEY – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson had dragged the team from wretchedness and apparently inevitable defeat to memorable victory in the first ODI against England, noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck has said.

Roebuck’s remark comes after Watson scored a career-best 161 not out as Australia defeated England by six wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Selectors announce 15-member India squad for World Cup

CHENNAI – India’s cricket selectors Monday selected a 15-member squad for the World Cup starting Feb 19 in the sub-continent.

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Virender Sehwag (vice captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Piyush … Read more »».

Qatar’s team of many nations marches on

DOHA – While midfielder Lawrence Quaye was born in the Ghanian capital of Accra and started his career with Liberty Professionals, Sebastian Soria was born in the Uruguayan town of Paysandu and first made a name for himself as a player with Liverpool Montevideo.

What combines the two is that they are team-mates.
That, in …. Source : Qatar’s team of many nations marches on.

Aussies must embrace criticism to revive on-field fortunes: Kasprowicz

SYDNEY – Australia must embrace criticism and hard-core discipline to revive its on-field fortunes following the recent Ashes disaster, former fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz has said.

“In the great teams there is a core discipline. There’s rules, consequences and every environment needs them. You need to have a healthy amount of respect for your teammates and [..] Read the original article: here.

My mind and heart has been more in flood-hit Queensland than cricket, says Watson

MELBOURNE – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that his thoughts have been on the Queensland floods rather than taking on England in the ongoing seven-match ODI series.

Watson’s comment comes after he scored a career-best 161 not out to help Australia win the opening ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The … Original article on : My mind and heart has been more in flood-hit Queensland than cricket, says Watson.

Murray to face convicted drug cheat Karol Beck in Australian Open

MELBOURNE – British tennis star Andy Murray will kick off his Australian Open campaign against convicted drug cheat Karol Beck on Tuesday.

Beck was banned for two years after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs during a 2005 Davis Cup match.

It will be the first encounter between Murray and Beck, who is currently ranked 104 but reached … Read : Murray to face convicted drug cheat Karol Beck in Australian Open.

Srikanth, selectors in Chennai to select India’s World Cup 2011 team

CHENNAI – The chairman of the national cricket selection committee, K Srikanth and the three other members of the committee have arrived here to pick the final squad for World Cup 2011.

The National selectors will select the 15-member Team India out of 30 probables.

According to the sources, selectors will select eight to nine batsmen and … Read more : Srikanth, selectors in Chennai to select India’s World Cup 2011 team.

Vettori endorses Stephen Fleming for Team India coaching position

WELLINGTON – New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has said that Stephen Fleming would be ideal for the soon to be vacant Team India coaching position.

Fleming has been named as a front-runner to replace current Indian coach Gary Kirsten, once he steps down after the upcoming 50-over World Cup.

According to reports, the former New Zealand captain’s [..] Read the original article: here.

Oz opener Hughes says he won’t forgive Botham for calling him a ‘cheat’

SYDNEY – Australian opener Phillip Hughes has said that he was quite shocked when he was told by skipper Michael Clarke that former England great Ian Botham had called him a cheat for claiming a catch at short-leg of the bat of England opener Alastair Cook.

He said it was unlikely that he would forgive Botham … Read more »»».

Mahesh Bhupathi To Wed Lara Dutta

MUMBAI, (GaeaTimes.com)- The latest buzz in the B-town is about ace tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and actress Lara Dutta who are all set to tie the knot. The wedding plans were revealed by the couple on television in the popular talk show “Koffee With Karan” as they engaged in a conversation with host Karan Johar. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mahesh Bhupathi To Wed Lara Dutta.